With the opening of dove season only weeks away we thought we’d revisit this article about the topic of baiting for doves. Most if not all of the information presented applies for all migratory birds including waterfowl like ducks and geese, and crows.

 There are many rules and regulations about what constitutes “baiting’ when it comes to hunting doves and getting an idea of what to expect now may save you some trouble when you head out September 1st.

  Most states allow for the planting of food plots for the benefit of wildlife but the rules concerning harvesting or manipulation can vary. It is best to check with your state’s Department of Natural Resources for any questions about your hunting area.

 Here are some general rules that most states have but double check before heading out.

 It is illegal to hunt or kill doves with the aid of bait. In other words, salt, grain, or other feed that has been placed, exposed, deposited, distributed or scattered to attract game is illegal to hunt over.

  Most states consider an area baited for 10 days after the complete removal of all bait. This usually applies to deer hunting too.

 A person who knows or reasonably should know the area is baited is liable for the offense. Hunters should physically inspect the field for any signs of baiting and question landowners, guides and caretakers to ensure the field is legal to hunt.

 Natural vegetation may be manipulated in any way to attract doves and other migratory game birds.

  Planting grain crops in a field that has been plowed and disked is legal as long as seeding rates are in tune with extension service recommendations. It is illegal to seed the same field repeatedly, concentrate wheat in long rows or pile wheat on a field.

  Harvesting a field often scatters some waste grain which attracts birds. If harvest was conducted as normal agricultural operation, it is legal for doves.

  Un-harvested fields can be mowed, shredded, disked, rolled, chopped, trampled, burned or treated with herbicides. These fields may be hunted legally for doves.

  Livestock may be allowed to graze on harvested and un-harvested grain. These fields may be hunted legally for doves.

 It is legal to plant food plots, provided that grains grown for wildlife management purposes are not harvested then returned to the field.

  For more informative reading check out the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service web site at: https://www.fws.gov/le/what-is-legal.html .

 Hopefully this answers some of your questions about what you can and can’t do when it comes to hunting doves. Double check with your state about the rules where you hunt! You can find links to all of the states DNR’s on our site at www.backwoodsbound.com/stgamedepts.html and have a safe, fun hunt.

  Through all my years, now 71, my greatest gifts, memories, are of nature and its creatures.

  As our son was growing up we hunted, fished and enjoyed time spent together watching nature. Even when hunting ducks, geese and deer, the main focus was not the harvest but watching the show as if they were performing just for us. Great times! When Scott got older and college and career came into view, it just wasn't the same. So he suggested that I might want to get into photography. I did so and for the past 30 years I have found much satisfaction and peace of mind being out there, wherever it may be, photographing nature and its creatures.

  I have watched, listened to and photographed nature from our backyard, with the birds, flowers, rabbits, squirrels to the raw wilderness of Alaska. The wilderness of Alaska is probably my passion and in it photographing bears. It is my belief that the human race can learn a lot from bears! Treat them with respect and they will do the same. Don't do anything stupid and they seem to understand and will not become aggressive. Of course, something can always go wrong. However, I believe it is usually caused by someone being stupid! I believe that as human beings, if we treated others with these same efforts, the world would be a better place.

 As I said, I have traveled to many places from the Grand Tetons of Wyoming, arctic ice of Churchill, Manitoba to photograph polar bears, to the raw wilderness of Alaska to photograph mainly the coastal brown bears. Each trip I returned with great memories of an eye-opening experience with nature.

 This year my friend in Alaska could not join me for our annual nature romp and since going into the wilderness by oneself is not a smart idea, I was determined to make a trek somewhere up north. I checked around and because of my love for bears heard of the “Spirit Bear”.

 The Spirit bear is neither an albino nor a polar bear. The Spirit Bear, also known as the Kermode bear, is a white variant of the North American black bear. It is exclusively found in the Great Bear Rainforests of Princess Royal Island and Gribbell Island off the coast of British Columbia, Canada. Due to their limited numbers, approximately 400 are known to exist, they are a protected species.

 I did a web search and found a company that offered tours to view and photograph the Spirit Bear. I quickly signed up and started packing my bags.

 I went with a small group of people with the same interest as the sizes of the tours are limited.

 Prince Royal Island is a rain forest, and did truly live up to its name. On one day the natives took us on a long hike to a viewing area where the spirit bears visit to lunch on the salmon in the stream. At first the light rain and fog was not good for photography and no bears were in sight. An hour or so later, the rain stopped, the fog lifted and believe it or not, it turned into a nice day.

 One black bear boar and one sow with cubs came out and started eating salmon in the stream. It was so neat to watch and photograph them. About an hour later, I caught sight of something kind of white to off-white in color coming through the brush. It was a spirit bear! It was so exciting because some people look for them for weeks and never do. I was so excited to see this one-of-a-kind beautiful bear! I had a hard time holding the camera still. After it ate a few fish, it returned to the heavy brush.

 Low and behold, a short time later another spirit bear came out! This experience was truly a super highlight in all my years of photography!

 Now that I have returned home and looked at my photos, I realized how blessed I was for this experience! I say a special thanks to God for nature and its creatures. After all, they are His gifts to us. He created them all!

  As the title says, Nature – God’s Gift! is all around us to watch, learn from and listen to. From our backyards to wilderness areas, it can be found and enjoyed by everyone! I believe the world would be a better place if we took time to watch, listen, learn and appreciate nature and each other. Take a moment from time to time and enjoy God's gifts to us. Say thanks you to Him and I’m pretty sure you will find peace within yourself and your so called “regular” days will be better. – Gary L. Fitzgerald

It was windy...
Too windy to fish, really,
But it was the last day of trout season.

He was at the Log Pool,
Perhaps his favorite spot
For catching wild brook trout.

He was catching fish…
And remembering times there with the boys;
They always caught a few trout.

It was fall, but these brookies were dark,
Unlike the spawners he’d been catching elsewhere.
Blame that on their Black River habitat.

He’d grown up fishing Sliding Rock,
Secret Pond and the Stuhmiller hole,
But the Log Pool was his current favorite.

He had a fish on when she called, “Lunch is ready!”
He got up from his porch rocker and headed inside…
Fishing makes a guy hungry!

Another great selection from Lloyd’s new book, Old Man…Young! A Rambling Country Grandpa Shares Stories, Memories and Opinions. Used with permission.